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Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum

Foregate Street, Worcester, WR1 1DT

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About this venue

Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum is housed in an elegant Victorian building in the heart of Worcester. The beautiful interior is a warm and friendly place, with something for all the family to enjoy. Immerse yourself in the special exhibitions, events and activities throughout the year. The museum gallery has lots of amazing things to see including dinosaur footprints, Worcestershire Sauce archive and many more interesting objects from a real Roman mosaic to a Native American totem pole. Whilst you are here visit the engaging and interactive galleries dedicated to telling the story of the Worcestershire Regiment and the Worcestershire Yeomanry Cavalry and not forgetting the recreated Victorian Chemist Shop.

Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include The Worcestershire Soldier, The Balcony Café, and a permanent exhibition.
  • Comments View
    • Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum is housed in an elegant Victorian building in the heart of Worcester. The beautiful interior is a warm and friendly place, with something for all the family to enjoy. Immerse yourself in the special exhibitions, events and activities throughout the year. The museum gallery has plenty of amazing things to see including the huge sturgeon caught in the River Severn and the mixing jug that poured the very first batches of Lea and Perrins Worcestershire Sauce. Whilst you are here visit the engaging and interactive galleries dedicated to telling the story of the Worcestershire Regiment and the Worcestershire Yeomanry Cavalry and not forgetting the recreated Victorian Chemist Shop.

Location

  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Worcester Foregate Street.

Opening Hours

Parking

  • The venue does not have its own car park.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
    • The name of the car park is Taylor's Lane Car Park.
    • The car park is located on Taylor's Lane.
  • On Street Blue Badge Parking View
    • On street marked Blue Badge bays are not available.
  • On Street Standard Parking View
    • Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are available.
    • Standard marked parking bays are located on Foregate Street.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • The on-street standard parking bays are for 45 minutes only, between 08:00 - 18:00 Monday - Saturday, no return within 2 hours.
    • There are 4 cycle hoops outside the museum.
    • They can accommodate non-standard cycles such as tricycles or cargo bikes.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building, on Foregate Street.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) both ways.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 130cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 7 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • Comments View
    • There are 4 cycle hoops outside the museum.
    • They can accommodate non-standard cycles such as tricycles or cargo bikes.

Outside Access (Accessible Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on Taylor's Lane, to the side of the building.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 145cm.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located just inside the accessible entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are P, G and 1.
  • Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the accessible entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 104cm x 220cm (3ft 5in x 7ft 3in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

Reception

  • The desk/counter is 5m (5yd 1ft) from the lift.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • Level access to the desk/counter is via lift.
  • The desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • The desk/counter does not have a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • The Gift Shop is located within the reception area on the ground floor.
    • There is a lowered section of the counter at a height of 78cm.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are adjustable.
  • Comments View
    • If wishing to access the venue by motorised scooter, please contact the venue in advance.

Art Gallery

  • The Art Gallery is located on the first floor, to the left as you exit the lift.
  • The door leading into the Gallery opens towards you, is heavy and has an opening width of 99cm (shown in photograph 1).
    There is tactile and Braille signage on the door.
  • There is a reception counter just inside the Gallery (7m from the lift), which has a height of 90cm (shown in photograph 2). There is a lowered section (80cm high) with a knee recess on the left hand side of the counter as you face it (shown in photograph 3).
    A copy of the gallery labels in large print is available from the counter.
  • The gallery comprises of two rooms, both with level access and with room for wheelchair users to manoeuvre.
    Seating is available in both rooms. The seats in the far rooms have armrests (shown in photograph 8). Both rooms have hearing loops fitted.

Museum

  • The Museum is located on the first floor, on the far side of the balcony from the lift.
  • The doors into the Museum are double, 156cm in width and permanently held open (shown in photograph 1). There is tactile and Braille signage at this door.
  • Directly to the left as you enter there are double doors which open towards you (pull), with an opening width of 160cm (shown in photograph 2). These doors lead to the Chemist Shop exhibit, which is open on the first Tuesday of each month between 11:00 and 15:00.
  • There is level access throughout the Museum and room for wheelchairs to manoeuvre. There is seating available throughout the room, most of which has armrests.
  • At the end of the museum room is the activity space (shown in photographs 9 and 10). This contains tables and chairs for children (the height to the top of the tables is 54cm).
  • To the left of the activity space as you enter is the smaller exhibition space. At the time of the survey, this contained a sofa to view the Voices of War film, plus a table (70cm between the floor and the base) with chairs without armrests for the Worcestershire Family at War album.

Worcestershire Soldier Museum

  • The Worcestershire Soldier Museum is located on the first floor, at the far end of the museum, accessed from the Smaller Exhibition Space.
  • The entrance has no doors and has an opening width of 162cm.
  • There is a reception counter (92cm high), just inside the entrance (32m from the lift - shown in photograph 2). A wheelchair is available for visitors to borrow at this counter (shown in photograph 3). This can be pre-booked by calling 01905 253 71.
  • There is level access and room to manoeuvre throughout the museum. The walkway is 107cm in width at its narrowest point.
  • There are two audio units located in the museum, one with memories of the First World War and the other with memories of the Second World War. These have buttons (91cm high), and the handsets are stored at a height of 120cm (shown in photographs 10 and 11). Both have hearing loops fitted.
  • The only seating is approximately halfway through the museum, opposite a display showing the Battle of Gheluvelt. This is a bench with no armrests (shown in photograph 12).

Eating and Drinking (Balcony Cafe)

  • The following information is for the café.
  • The café is located on the first floor.
  • Full table service is available.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the lift.
  • The standard height for tables is 73cm.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Plastic / takeaway cups are available.
  • Plastic / takeaway cutlery is available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • Menus are hand held only.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are available in large print.
  • Picture menus are not available.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G and 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Accessible Toilet (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the first floor, between the lift and the Art Gallery.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
    • This is by lift.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is required for the accessible toilet.
    • The key is not a radar key.
    • The key can be obtained from the reception in the Art Gallery.
    • The door opens by sliding.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 140cm x 208cm (4ft 7in x 6ft 10in).
    • There is not sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 73cm (2ft 5in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are sanitary, non-infectious waste and waste paper pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • There are coat hooks in the toilet at 110cm and 167cm from the floor.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is poor.
    • There is a low colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located in the accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 114cm (3ft 9in).

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the first floor.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the lift.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
    • This is by lift.
    • Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are moderate to good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located in the standard female toilets.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 93cm (3ft 1in).
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the baby change facility.
    • This is by lift.

Additional Info

  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • Comments View
    • Front of house staff have received Deaf awareness training.